The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of decorticated
Hyacinth bean on the performance of broiler chicks and some blood parameters.
One hundred and twenty eight one day old unsexed broiler chicks (Hubbard)
were used, chicks were divided into four groups with four replicates of 8 birds /
replicate, the birds were fed on 4 experimental diets, with varying levels of Hyacinth
bean (0, 5, 10, and 15%).the diet were formulated to meet the nutrients requirements
according to NRC (1994), diets were iso-caloric and isonitrogenous. complete
randomized design was used.
Feed and water were provided ad libitum, feed intake and body weight were weekly
recorded, weight gain and FCR were calculated, the experiment lasted for 7 weeks.
At four week of age, two birds were selected randomly from each replicate, and
were slaughtered and allowed to bleed to collected serum, serum was analyzed
(total protein, inorganic phosphorus and calcium) and right tibia were removed for
use to determine bone ash.
The results of the experiment indicated that dietary treatments had significant (P<
0.01) effect on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Inclusion
of Hyacinth bean in broiler diets resulted in reduction in feed intake and weight gain.
Moreover, the treatments had no effect on dressing percentage. Rickets occurred in
12.5%the birds fed 10 and 15% Hyacinth bean
Supplementation of Hyacinth bean in broiler diets had no significant (P>0.05)
effect on serum calcium and total serum protein. However, the treatment had
significantly decrease (P<0.01) serum phosphorus and bone ash.
The results of recovery period indicated that birds fed previously Hyacinth bean
had improved in feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR).